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Wanderers rule out move for Jimmy Bullard

OWEN Coyle has scotched rumours linking Wanderers with a move for Hull City midfielder Jimmy Bullard.

Several reports over the weekend suggested the Whites were set to rival Celtic and Newcastle United for the 31-year-old.

But Coyle has played down the speculation, insisting he has enough quality in his midfield already.

“Jimmy is a great player but he’s not on our radar at Bolton,” he confirmed to The Bolton News.

“We have got some quality players in his position already at this football club.

“There hasn’t been any dialogue from me, so I suppose it’s the usual speculation you get in silly season, as I call it. I’m sure we’ll be linked with everyone at this time of the year.”

Meanwhile, the Wanderers boss has congratulated Blackpool on securing promotion to the Premier League at the weekend.

A thrilling 3-2 victory over Cardiff sees the Tangerines join the elite for the first time since 1971 – and the manner in which they achieved promotion drew comparisons with Coyle’s time at former
club Burnley.

“There are similarities,” he said. “I suppose both clubs would be labelled unfashionable – but all credit to them, because it was a magnificent achievement.

“It’s great that the Boltons, the Burnleys, the Blackpools – teams that were the real bedrock of English football – can be competing in the top league again.”

Blackpool’s pass and move philosophy also appeals to Coyle, who thinks the men from Bloomfield Road will be a valuable asset to the top flight.

“I think Ollie (Ian Holloway) has done a great job,” he said. “They like to get the ball down and play football the right way, and they’ll be great to watch next season.

“In a way, it’s a shame someone had to lose that final because it was a great game.”

Sam Ricketts won his 38th cap for Wales yesterday evening as John Toshack’s side lost 2-0 against Croatia. Chung-Yong Lee will continue his preparations for the World Cup tonight as South Korea
take on Japan.

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